Season 26 – Player Report Card (Part 2)
2023 Storm Machine Player of the Year awards
In part one we looked at the players who finished in the top ten of the leaderboard. Here’s the rest of the squad report card.
Class of 2023
2023 saw nine players make their Storm and/or NRL debut.
Report card continued
Tui Kamikamica
12th – 5 points in 5 appearances; 21 matches played, 1 try.
Missed the start of the season and copped a suspension that kept him out for a couple of weeks just as things were looking solid for the big Fijian. Kamikamica had a good patch of form through the middle of the season, including scoring a try against the Sharks in round 15. Always tries hard in the middle of the field without causing too many issues in defence, Kamikamica does his job well without minimal fuss.
Tepai Moeroa
13th – 3 points in 1 appearance; 6 matches played.
After an interrupted start to the season, Moeroa would string enough games together with the Sunshine Coast Falcons to earn an NRL recall in round 22. After six games, including a very good final round match against the Broncos, wasn’t used in the finals. Seemingly is competing with Tom Eisenhuth and Alec MacDonald for a similar bench forward role, it will be interesting to see what’s next for a talented player who has only made 18 appearances for the Storm across three seasons.
Alec MacDonald
Equal 14th – 2 points in 2 appearances; 12 matches played.
Used off the bench in the first seven rounds, the enthusiastic middle forward was making the most of his impact role in the middle of the field. Injury would derail his season though, eventually returning via the Brisbane Tigers for a few cameo appearances later in the season, although he would unluckily miss the Queensland Cup grand final through injury. Seemed to be second in line behind Tepai Moeroa at the back end of the season, MacDonald has improved his numbers from last season with his increased involvement in the middle of the field. Will be looking to secure that bench role in what will be his third year at the club in 2024.
Jonah Pezet
Equal 14th – 2 points in 2 appearances; 7 matches played, 2 tries, 2 goals.
Pezet made his NRL debut in round 3, scoring a try while filling in at five-eighth for Cameron Munster. Would also fill in at times for Jahrome Hughes at halfback. Eventually made seven NRL appearance for the season, with his efforts justifying the faith the club has in his progress.1 When not required in Melbourne, Pezet made 10 appearances for the Brisbane Tigers, his kicking game crucial in the Tigers Queensland Cup grand final victory.
Marion Seve
Equal 14th – 2 points in 2 appearances; 10 matches played, 3 tries.
Started the season in Queensland Cup with the Brisbane Tigers, eventually coming into the Storm squad during the Origin period. Would return to the right centre position to replace an injured Reimis Smith in round 22, holding down that position for the rest of the season. Couldn’t really fault his work down that edge, scoring three tries inside of Will Warbrick. Was clear that he has worked hard on his defensive game when he grabbed his chance late in the season, also cutting down on errors with the ball.
Young Tonumaipea
Equal 14th – 2 points in 2 appearances; 9 matches played, 3 tries.
After rejoining the club during the 2022 season, the Victorian started the season in place of an injured Justin Olam making two appearances, before playing out most of the season with the Sunshine Coast Falcons (4 tries in 15 appearances). Recalled to the Storm squad in round 22 he would make his 50th appearance for the club in round 26. Usually solid in defence, he earned points in a couple of matches including the loss to the Panthers at Penrith. An off night against the Broncos in the qualifying final was his last appearance for the season, with Justin Olam returning in his place.
Sualauvi Fa’alogo
Equal 14th – 2 points in 1 appearance; 1 match played, 2 tries.
Made a stunning NRL debut off the bench in the final round match against the Broncos, scoring two tries including a try of the season contender. Playing at fullback for the Sunshine Coast Falcons, Fa’alogo scored 13 tries in 18 appearances, also kicking goals at 72%. An exciting talent, it will be interesting to see how he fits into the club’s short term plans in 2024.
Jayden Nikorima
Equal 14th – 2 points in 1 appearance; 1 match played.
Removed himself from the Storm One Game Wonders squad with his second Melbourne appearance coming in the final round match against the Broncos. Had a great game with two try assists, attracting points from me as well as the Dally M judges. Played the rest of the season with the Sunshine Coast Falcons, scoring 11 tries in 17 appearances, including four in the Falcons draw with the Capras in May. Still just 26, it will be interesting to see what’s next for Nikorima.
Justin Olam
Equal 14th – 2 points in 2 appearances; 17 matches played, 6 tries.
By his own admission, the 2021 Dally M centre of the year had a down season in 2023. Looked to be lacking confidence and opportunities on the left edge, he was eventually dropped to Queensland Cup after scoring just five tries in 14 appearances. Brought back into the squad during the finals series, a try against the Panthers was Olam at his attacking best, but it was his defence that was exposed by a potent opposition flank. Will be looking to bounce back in 2024 with the connections on that left edge needing to be reset.
Tom Eisenhuth
Equal 21st – 1 point; 18 matches played.
Finally made his 50th NRL appearance in 2023, with his 18 appearances for the season the most of his career. Used as a bench middle forward, Eisenhuth plied his trade in the middle of the field and was an effective tackling machine, hardly missing a tackle. In attack he was able to create a few offloads and did offer something different when coming on the field to replace the starting forwards.
Reimis Smith
Equal 21st – 1 point; 22 matches played, 5 tries.
Formed a good partnership with Will Warbrick on the right flank in 2023, especially in defence. Featured in the first 21 matches of the season, but was sidelined for a couple of weeks with an injury, then recalled to play on the wing (with a couple of Queensland Cup appearances) late in the season after losing his centre role. Stepped into the position of Xavier Coates on the left wing in the finals, but does look more comfortable at right centre.
Grant Anderson
Equal 21st – 1 point; 6 matches played (twice as unused interchange), 2 tries.
Often among the reserves named each week, Anderson would make two starting appearances for Melbourne, a further two bench appearances, and two matches where he spent the entire 80 minutes on the sidelines. His one notable match was the final round against the Broncos, scoring a double like he did on his NRL debut last season. On the wing too for the Sunshine Coast Falcons he would score four tries from 14 appearances.
Bronson Garlick
Not ranked – 22 matches played, 1 try.
Making his NRL debut in round 1 at age 27, Garlick would make 22 appearances for Melbourne in 2023, either as an interchange middle forward, or sharing the hooker role with Harry Grant. He might not have gained any points, but he was a very solid performer across the season, with his workrate in defence unquestioned. Would have to be a strong chance of “most improved” honours at the club’s award night.
Tariq Sims
Not ranked – 15 matches played, 1 try.
After a delayed start to the season, Sims ended up making 15 Storm appearances in what will be his only season at the club, with the veteran heading off to Super League in 2024. After a run of matches in the middle of the season, an ill-timed suspension saw him lose his spot in the forward pack rotation, returning for his first finals matches since 2018.
Tyran Wishart
Not ranked – 14 matches played, 2 tries.
Melbourne’s Mr Fixit ended up making 14 NRL appearances in 2023, to go with nine games mostly at hooker for the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Scored his first NRL try while deputising for Harry Grant at hooker in round 16 against the Wests Tigers, adding another to his career tally to open the scoring in the semi final victory against the Roosters while playing halfback. Signed for another season it will be interesting to see what role he might fit into at Melbourne.
Aaron Pene
Not ranked – 8 matches played.
Pene made seven appearances through the middle of the season, including his first in Melbourne in Storm colours.2 Provided good impact off the bench when given the opportunities in first grade, but was otherwise solid for the Sunshine Coast Falcons making 10 appearances when not required in Melbourne.
Ryan Papenhuyzen
Not ranked – 3 matches played.
On the comeback trail from his terrible broken patella injury in 2022, Paps finally got the all clear to comeback via the Queensland Cup in early August. He would play two and a half games for the Falcons, finally returning to the NRL in round 26 off the bench against the Titans as the smallest lock forward in club history. A full match at fullback in round 27 saw him ready for the finals, but a freak injury this time to his ankle stopped everyone in their tracks late in the qualifying final loss. There’s positive signs that this injury will only restrict Paps to light duties until the start of the new year with the dynamic superstar looking to get back to his best form in 2024.
Jordan Grant
Not ranked – 2 matches played.
Only afforded two NRL appearances in 2023, coming off the bench in both rounds 1 and 2. Played most of the year with the Brisbane Tigers in the Queensland Cup, returning just in time to feature in the Tigers finals campaign.
Kane Bradley
Not ranked – 2 matches played, 1 try.
Made a surprise club debut in round 2 after trialling with the Storm over the summer. Returned to the Brisbane Tigers for the rest of the season, earning another call up in round 16 against Wests Tigers. Scored a try in that match, and also in the Queensland Cup Grand Final, one of seven in 17 appearances for the tall centre.
George Jennings
Not ranked – 2 matches played.
Waited until round 16 for his first NRL appearance for the season, one of only two for the year after injury stopped him in 2022. Did score 13 tries in 15 appearances for the Brisbane Tigers, but is now off contract and the 30-year-old might be looking for another opportunity in 2024.
Chris Lewis
Not ranked – 1 match played.
After 41 NRL appearances across three seasons with the Storm, Lewis was on the outside looking in for NRL match opportunities in 2023. Was often in the reserves list on Tuesdays, only to be on a flight to Queensland each weekend. Made 18 appearances for the Sunshine Coast Falcons, only to miss their semi final when called up to the NRL squad for the final round match against the Broncos.
Jack Howarth
Not ranked – 1 match played.
The boom rookie made his long-awaited NRL debut in round 27, making a solid start to what will hopefully be a successful career in Storm colours. After last year often playing out wide for the Sunshine Coast Falcons, he would make 17 appearances in the Queensland Cup this year making the second-row forward spot his own. Will be pushing hard for more NRL action in 2024 and may offer a point of difference for Melbourne on the left edge.
Joe Chan
Not ranked – 1 match played.
Became the first father/son player in club history, 18 years after his dad Alex played with the Storm. Coming to the club from Catalans Dragons, he spent the year mostly with the Brisbane Tigers, eventually settling into a bench forward role in the second half of the season. Chan made his club debut in round 27 off the bench, becoming Storm player #233.
Moving on Cooper Johns to make sure Pezet got opportunities in 2023 was definitely one of the better moves made after the end of the 2022 season.
He had made 10 NRL appearances for Melbourne in 2020-2021 without playing a match in Victoria. His first match in Victoria was for the Warriors on ANZAC Day last year. His first match for the Storm in Victoria was ANZAC Day this season. Trivia!